Excuse me, is that Jason Michaels in the lineup again? Seriously?

Pardon me, my eye sight isn’t what it used to be, but is that No. 4 in right field again?

At this point in a lost season, Jason Michaels shouldn’t even be the first pinch hitter off the bench. Perhaps the Astros are just trying to put him out there and get some interest for a trade. Again, I say, really?

If there is an interest in this come-off-the-bench veteran, it probably ain’t much. Frankly, there are too many younger players who should be in the lineup. A spot start? Maybe. Two in a row? Uh-uh.

Michaels started his 25th game of the season on Sunday and he’s hitting .244 with two HRs and eight RBI in those games (before Sunday).

Obviously, manager Brad Mills is playing the numbers by the book with a lefthanded pitcher on the mound for the Giants. Without even looking up the numbers for lefthanded hitters Brian Bogusevic or J.B. Shuck, you just shake your head when you discover than righthanded hitter Michaels is hitting only .219 against lefthanders this season.

Sorry Brad, I’m one of your strongest defenders, but I just don’t get this one.

Honestly, Michaels probably couldn’t catch on with another major league team. Ultimately, he will likely follow the line of players who’ve tried to hang on with the Astros, only to be released eventually and never play the in the majors again. That group includes players like Woody Williams, Oscar Villarreal, Kaz Matsui, David Newhan, Shawn Chacon and Cory Sullivan.

But if the Michaels-on-the-lineup-card bothers you, just hang on when rosters expand September 1.

That’s when players like Chris Johnson and Brett Wallace will likely return. Wallace is hitting .365 with a .481 OBP in 17 games at AAA Oklahoma City. You would think he’d be penciled into first base upon his return, but that puts veteran Carlos Lee back in left field, pushing yet another young outfielder out of the mix. (More about that later.)

If the Astros are completely committed to the rebuilding program and to young players like Wallace, Shuck, Bogusevic, J.D. Martinez, and others, they should bite the bullet with veterans like Lee and Michaels.